Ahmedabad: Old Town, Architecture and Nature
Accommodation in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad combines a historic walled city with remarkable buildings, a long walkway along the Sabarmati River, and destinations for culture and nature lovers. The walled city of Ahmadabad lies on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati River and was founded in 1411 AD by Sultan Ahmad Shah. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip: would you mainly like to explore architecture and history, experience the city on foot, or also take in landscapes and birdlife?
Architecture and history in Ahmedabad
Jama Masjid offers concrete details that reveal its architectural history: it was built in 1423 and completed in 1424. Its three-storey hall has 260 columns supporting a roof with 15 domes. At Sarkhej Roza, Persian Islamic influences meet local Hindu and Jain features, resulting in an Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The complex is a striking example of Ahmedabad’s diverse architecture.
Other historic buildings make their own mark. The Hutheesing Jain Temple was completed in 1848. The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque dates from 1573; its jalis depict interwoven branches of the tree of life. If you are travelling with family, you can make discovering these different architectural forms together a focus of your visit, rather than limiting your stay to a single building.
Museums also offer different ways to explore history and art. The Gandhi Memorial Museum was inaugurated on 10 May 1963 by India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and houses the Ashram library. The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum displays ancient and medieval Indian art treasures in more than nine galleries. The museum is part of the LD Institute of Indology. These two places give your cultural trip different points of focus: a library and a museum with art collections.
City walks and an evening at Manek Chowk
The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad, established by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, leads through the old quarter. Its route runs from Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple to Jama Masjid and brings architecture, art, religious sites, culture and traditions to life. As another way to get around the city, the Sabarmati Riverfront has a continuous walkway almost 11.5 km long. Bear this distance in mind when planning your day; it describes the walkway, not how long a walk takes.
For an evening focused on food, Manek Chowk is well worth a visit: at night, the square transforms into the Ratri Bazaar, also known as the Night Market. Several eateries, street-food stalls and ice cream parlours open in the evening and stay open until late at night. It’s a way to end a day of culture and city walks with a wide selection of food and ice cream.
Birdlife and nature as another travel highlight
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary covers 120.82 km² and is home to more than 250 bird species. The Government of Gujarat declared Nalsarovar a bird sanctuary in 1969. Thol Lake Sanctuary is also located near the destination. It includes Thol Lake, marshland and scrubland, providing a natural habitat for more than 160 bird species. The two sanctuaries offer different highlights: Nalsarovar stands out for its large area and number of bird species, while Thol’s description highlights its range of habitats.
There is also a connection to water and green space within the city: historic Kankaria Lake surrounds the island garden of Naginawadi, a popular excursion spot for the people of Ahmedabad. Together with the nature reserves, this gives you a choice between exploring the city and birdwatching. The International Kite Festival brings kite enthusiasts from around the world to Ahmedabad, adding a distinctive event to the cultural and scenic highlights.
Ahmedabad Railway Station is located in the Kalupur district and is connected to the Western Railways network.
If you’d like to explore more destination pages, you can find Ahmedabad, Sanand and Ranpur here.
For the wider travel overview: Gujarat.
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